Death cafe on BBC North West Tonight

A death cafe is a group-directed discussion of death with no agenda, objectives or themes. It's a discussion group rather than a grief support or counselling session. They are accessible to everyone and respectful, with no intention of leading people to any conclusion, product or course of action. They offer a warm welcome and a listening ear over tea and cake.

The death cafe is open to everyone and we hope will break down the taboo around discussing death.

Rachel Yates, our Dementia Development Coordinator, says: "Improvements to healthcare and life expectancy mean that we are not surrounded by death in the same way perhaps as our ancestors were.

"Many people can get to their 30s or 40s without ever having experienced a significant death in their lives.

"Death cafes are a space for exploring themes relating to your own and other people's mortality. We will talk about ideas including what is a good death and why we find it so difficult to contemplate the end of life."

The death cafewas featured on BBC North West Tonight to raise awareness of the importance of speaking openly about death. Watch the clip.